KAMLOOPS—Some might call it a publicity stunt, and others might say it’s historically significant, but the sale of a prize steer in the Plaza Heritage Hotel lobby in Kamloops on January 26 certainly raised some eyebrows.

Tina Lange, a city councillor and part-owner of the hotel told the Kamloops Daily News that she was inspired by a photograph in the Plaza lobby showing the sale of a champion bull there in 1956, which attracted the mayor, ranchers and dignitaries.

Similarly, the January event attracted the mayor, dignitaries and curious onlookers, thanks in part to advertising in the newspaper and on the radio.Prize black angus steer Norman was “calm and co-operative,” according to the Daily News report. And he fetched $7,500 from a couple who plan to give the steer to their granddaughter for a 4-H project.

Green Key will easily surpass 2,000 hotels as Accor signs up

OTTAWA—The Green Key eco-rating program has grown to include 1,650 hotels worldwide, 1,325 of those in Canada. It’s now a truly international program with participants in Canada, the U.S., Aruba, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Curacao, Mexico, Monaco, Trinidad, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.

And it’s about to grow even more, easily surpassing 2,000 by the end of the year. Following a successful pilot of the Green Key Program in the U.S. in 2010, Accor North America has made a commitment for all Motel 6 and Studio 6 properties to be Green Key certified by the end of 2011. With the commitment, 1,100 locations will be ranked and certified according to Green Key’s sustainable practices, which adhere to Accor’s long-standing commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Overnight travel spend in Canada hit $3 billion in Q2 ‘10

VANCOUVER—The arrival of spring usually heralds a surge of optimism. This was reflected in the spending habits of those visiting Canada in the second quarter of 2010, with an uptick in total spending and average spend per trip, according to the latest Travel Characteristics report, published by the Canadian Tourism Commission’s research department.

The approximately 4.2 million overnight international arrivals spent $3 billion between April and June 2010, up 1 per cent on Q2 ’09. The average spend of those travellers also rose 1 per cent to $727.

And there was more power in the U.S. spending arm in the first six months of 2010, with visitors dipping into their pockets to the tune of $2.4 billion.

That increase was also reflected in a 5 per cent boost to average spend per night and 3 per cent leap in average spend per trip.